“Stephen was on internet dating sites, looking for women, all the time but would fly off the handle at me for wearing perfume.”

Mary, 37, added: “He battered me and left me black and blue but it wasn’t just physical cruelty. I suffered mental and emotional abuse too.

“I don’t know why I put up with him for all those years.

“No woman should ever have to go through that sort of experience.”

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how, in August last year, delivery driver Dunlop lashed out after Mary found sexually-explicit pictures on his mobile phone as he slept off a drinking session on the couch.

The 32-year-old thug seized her by the hair, punched her, knocked her to the floor and then straddled her and grabbed her by the throat with both hands.

As she struggled to break free, Dunlop took hold of a dinner plate and held it above her head, as though he was going to smash it on top of her.

The attack, which took place in front of Mary’s daughters at their home in West Buchanan Place, was only halted when her family intervened.

Police were called and Dunlop was arrested.

In court, he pleaded guilty to being in breach of bail conditions and assaulting his partner by seizing her hair, repeatedly punching her on the head, pinning her to the ground, seizing her by the throat and brandishing a plate at her.

Mary has ended their relationship and moved to a new address with her children.

Defence agent Colin Williamson told the court that both Dunlop and the victim had been drinking heavily that night and his client had no recollection of events.

“He fully accepts the difficult position he has put himself in,” added the lawyer.

After studying Dunlop’s record, which includes a previous conviction for a similar offence, Sheriff David Pender said the accused had committed a “very nasty assault” which deserved a prison sentence.